#also i did do this after i finished my test thank you nee-san

[nguyenfinity]

>×> more lil Brohaku please on these trying times AFTER YOUR TEST

long day of outdoor practice for lil bingus :]

[lizzy-of-the-valley19]

Fall From Grace, Right Into Your Arms.

Summary: An angel had fallen out of the sky, straight into his arms. Her lovely, glittering amethyst eyes met his wide, soulful, burgundy ones. She thought of how they reminded her of the sky at the blush of dawn. And at that moment, something within them sparked a brand new start on feelings they never knew existed. Oh, how she felt wonderstruck right then, marveling at how pretty his eyes were..." Or rather, this one time where Tsuyuri Kanao's 'superior motor reflexes' did not work. Set in Kimetsu Gakuen AU.

Note: This is very self-indulgent so here’s my first take on one certain sunshine lad and butterfly lass. Shoutout to @sparkleswritings​ for being so patient with me on beta-reading this work. thaaaaankkkk youuuuu so much I couldn’t have done this without your help T_T Also, thank you very much Manu of @tankanaweek2020​ for kindly giving me permission to use the prompts and motivating me to greenlit this! And I’m sooo sorry this came in verrry late and for some marginal errors! But better late than never, right?  Hope you enjoy lovelies! :D

----------

She thought this was the end.

Time flowed around her as if in slow motion yet fast, all at once. The girl was startled by a loud ‘snap!’ from a loose tree branch that she has been holding on to guarantee her safe descent from the cherry tree. And just her luck, she suddenly lost her footing and slipped. With a startled yelp, gravity took over her body as Tsuyuri Kanao felt herself slip away from her hold. For once, her fast reflexes and nimble body were rendered useless when her anxiety suddenly kicked in.

She'll have some broken bones, a few bruises, and cuts, maybe even some blood (she hopes not) all over her body. Her Kanae nee-san would be worried sick and would fuss over her nonstop. Shinobu nee-san would still do the same but she'll give her one hell of a lecture full of poisonous quips. And oh dear, Kanao does not want that. They would skin her alive, that's for sure if she had not died here first.

Had she lived a life with no regrets? Were the last sixteen years of her existence worth it? Will she meet her biological parents in heaven? What or who would she reincarnate into, she wonders. Would the words "Cause of death: A bad fall due to a misstep from a broken branch of a cherry blossom tree" be etched forever in her death certificate? She feels ashamed, this is embarrassing compared to those who died fighting disease and war!

At least those baby sparrows didn't get hurt and were placed back safe and sound , she hoped that their mother would find her nest soon. Kanao doesn't mind if she'd die knowing that she'd rescued something or someone. What a pretty sight, the last thing that she sees on Earth is this old cherry blossom tree in full bloom.

Ah, perhaps that she might become a spirit and haunt this tree to watch over her sisters and the other students at her school. Is this one of those, "When your whole life flashes before your eyes," moments that she has often heard from movies or books?

But here she was right now, her face and skin getting scratched from tree branches and her body was slowly hurtling towards the ground from a 30-foot drop. As she braces for impact, she instinctively wraps her arms closer over her chest, scrunching her eyes shut as the ground approaches nearer and nearer.

How did she get into this mess anyway?

*20 minutes earlier*

"Kanao, I'll be going home earlier today. Mom needs me to help her at the diner because you know… today's Friday and more customers are going to pour in during suppertime. Are you sure you're gonna be okay on your own?" Kanzaki Aoi queried her friend as she adjusted the straps of her bag, slightly worried at her. Club sessions were already done several minutes ago, and the two had just finished cleaning the clubroom.

Kanao shook her head, smiling a bit. "Thank you, Aoi. Besides, I'll be fine! I'll just wait for Shinobu nee-san when she's done with her club activities. I'll lock up the clubroom for today." Aoi was about to say something when a sudden chime made the pigtailed girl flinch, fishing out her phone from her skirt pocket.

"Oh dear, Mom's already calling for me! Gotta run now, bye! And tell Shinobu-sama I said congratulations on passing her exams!" She began to dash to the door, muttering about 'orders' and 'customers'.

Kanao waved at her retreating figure, slightly amused at her friend's antics.

Shortly after Aoi left, the clubroom seemed to be quieter now. The distant holler of the students from sports clubs doing their drills outside is all she can hear at that moment.

Oh… she's now all alone. She still has a bit of time on her own.

Kanae nee-san was still at the meeting with the faculty. Shinobu nee-san, meanwhile,  was still at the Biology room where she convened with the rest of her fellow Pharmaceutical Club members, no doubt testing another poisonous chemical that they had just concocted with ingredients only-God-knows-where came from.

Gathering her things, she exited the Flower Arrangement Clubroom and locked it.

‘Perhaps I'll go to the old cherry tree at the back of the school.’ she mused.It was spring, after all, and she wanted to see what it would look like when it blooms in full swing. The sun was already setting, casting the sky in a rosy hue, basking her surroundings in a warm, golden glow.

By the time she had arrived there, she felt her breath take away at the lovely sight before her. The delicate pink petals fell to the ground like snow, their scent bringing in the fragrance of the new season. The windy breeze swayed the branches slightly, dancing along the springsong. Spring was indeed her favorite season. The flowers blooming, the sweet sakura mochi that she and her sisters would always share while celebrating Hanami, and the warm weather were the few things that she loved about spring. Kanao feels her heart swell with bliss. For her, such moments like these are the ones she cherishes the most.

She also remembered, her sisters would always fawn over spring, gushing that this season was the best time to fall in love for the first time-

"Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!"

"Eh? Birds?" A loud chirping noise interrupted her train of thoughts. A few feet away from her, a fallen nest of baby sparrows laid haphazardly on the ground, no doubt being blown away by the wind. It seems that the thick carpets of grass and cherry blossom petals had somehow cushioned the nest's fall, miraculously rendering the chicks still alive and yet.. Helpless. The girl approached the nest and picked it up gently, making sure the little birds wouldn't get hurt in the process.

"Poor little things. I'll bring you guys back up to the tree, I'm sure your mother is looking for you..."

She craned her head from left to right, checking to see if anybody was around. It would be very improper of her to climb a tree if someone saw her - she'll be damned if it was Tomioka-sensei, their P.E.teacher, and school disciplinarian. The latter had the reputation of hunting rule-breakers like a crazed shark on shallow waters. And she was still dressed in her school uniform with an above-the-knee skirt. If some poor unfortunate soul would see what's under it, she'd made sure that they would never see the light of the day again.

After making sure that no one was indeed around, she slipped off her loafers and started to climb the tree while her one hand held the nest securely. Luckily the tree's trunk had a lot of bumps so it is easier for her to climb the way up. Though she did struggle a bit along the way, she reached near the canopy of the cherry tree successfully.

"There." She spotted a nearby branch dotted with buds, thick and sturdy enough, she remarked. "That'll hold them." she thought, and she pulled her body up to the said branch, sliding the nest to the branch until the twigs held them secure. Kanao smiled, feeling accomplished that she put the baby birds back where they belong.

Now that both of her hands are free, she moved to begin her way down. But suddenly her sock-clad foot took a misstep on a knobby part of the trunk and the branch that she held on to broke. Unfortunately, it was a thin, hollow branch and it broke on her tight grip. Shoot, she should've removed her socks back then to avoid her from slipping. But it was too late - losing her balance, Kanao felt her right hand getting scraped as she slipped off the branch, her body slowly hurtling to the ground the same way the cherry blossom petals fell…

*Back to the present*

No,no,no,no,no,no,no… These words were repeated on her mind like a broken record. This is it, she's going to die, this is the end. But a part of her wished that she wouldn't die yet. She wanted to see her older sisters again, to spend more time with them. With her fellow club members, Aoi, everyone…

"WATCH OUT!" She heard a voice from somewhere down below, but what happened next was not one that she was expecting.

The sudden thud of a fallen branch, the wind picking up, and a person groaning and wincing in pain-

Instead of falling onto the hard, solid, grass-covered ground, she felt two strong arms holding her back and the back of her knees. She landed on a body, a man’s to be exact, judging by the hardiness of it. She gripped his broad shoulders a bit too strongly, her body instinctively seeking an anchor to hold on to. She still scrunched her eyes shut, adrenaline pumping in her veins wildly, her breathing ragged.

"Are you alright, Miss? That was quite the fall that you had..." the words died by his throat as Kanao snapped her eyes open. This time, she felt her breath taken away for the second time that day the moment their eyes met.

Her (unexpected) savior was a young man about her age; with messy, slicked back maroon hair, a noticeable scar on his forehead, and hanafuda earrings dangling on his ears. But one feature that stood out the most is his eyes - wide, soulful burgundy ones that reminded her of the sky in the blush of dawn that seemed to shine against the sunset's golden rays. He stared at her with his lips parted, almost in disbelief that this random beautiful girl fell right into his arms.

As if on cue the wind picked up once more, sending the petals scattering on a graceful dance on the air. Her heart thumping wildly, all she can hear is her heartbeat ringing loudly in her ears. She and this handsome stranger looked at each other, her wide amethyst eyes meeting his dawn-red ones. Their faces were only centimeters apart, noses almost touching. She was rendered wonderstruck, marveling at how lovely his eyes were, his gaze was magnetic and deep as if they saw each other's souls at that moment, beckoning-

The school's last bell snapped them out of their reverie, breaking whatever spell that was cast in that ephemeral moment. The realization hit them like a ton of bricks as she just processed what happened: she crash-landed on some random guy and fortunately caught her ungraceful fall from the tree. With a yelp, she flailed off his arms and the young man grunted with an 'oof!' but still he helped her down, albeit a bit too unceremoniously.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!!! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" She flailed, oh dear spirits, she hoped that whoever caught her was alright or she has broken anything! Really, what was she thinking?!

"No, no, no, it's really alright! I'm okay!" The young man in front of her flailed his arms as he helped her up. Their eyes met again, this time a hint of crimson dusted their cheeks. The two instinctively averted their eyes, too embarrassed at the events that just happened. For her being caught by a random stranger was rather shameful and for him, he was rather flustered of the girl before him.

A few beats later, Kanao gathered herself. She slipped her loafers back on and gathered her bag from the ground. With newfound courage, she apologized to him once again. "I'm sorry! I've crash-landed on you… Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere? Did something break? I'm very, very sorry!"

To her surprise, he chuckled. "It's okay, I promise! Don't worry, I've had worse. I have a friend who loves to roughhouse with me and boy, it's like I'm fighting with a wild bear or a four-legged beast!"

"I... I see..." Kanao raised her hand but she suddenly flinched, feeling a sudden shot of pain, particularly at her right palm.

"Your palm, it's bleeding..." He noted, and she raised it. He was right - a gash was blooming on it, slightly bloodied due to the broken branch that she held on mistakenly earlier that caused her (literal) downfall. Thank goodness there were no splinters. She touched her wound gingerly, wincing at the slight pain. "Ow..."

"If you don't mind, can I tend your wound for a bit?" The red-haired lad implored. Kanao was about to refuse when he fished out a handkerchief with a forest green and black checkered design from his pocket.

"Don't worry, this one's clean! My little sister, Nezuko, made this handkerchief by herself! This should stop the bleeding in the meantime," He stepped closer to her. Then he proceeded to wrap her wounded palm gently, making sure that it's not too tight. "There we go..all done!"

"Th-thank you….” she timidly thanked him, gently prodding her newly wrapped palm.

"It's no problem at all!" He cheerily replied. She looked up to him and he gave her a radiant grin - the kind where his eyes crinkled at the corners, the dimples on his cheeks showing. Kanao felt her heart skip a beat.

'He's such a kind person… He looks adorable with that smile of his-'

Wait, what?

"By the way... what were you doing up there in the tree?" he queried with his brows raised, pointing at the canopy above them.

"Oh! I.. uh.. I was returning the baby sparrows' nest there," she said, motioning for him to follow where she pointed on a branch that's quite… high. She gulped, he wasn't kidding that she'll quite have an incident, heaven forbid. Right now, the mother sparrow was now back on the nest, feeding her chicks with the food she brought for them.

"I see! Good thing I just came by, I was just about to head to the front gate! Who knows what could've happened to you or the nest, I mean, that's quite the drop, don't you think? You should be extra careful next time!" he chided her, but with no bite. His light-hearted tone somehow reminds her of Kanae nee-san admonishing her sometimes.

"I couldn't just leave them here on the ground..." Kanao trailed off, pushing a stray strand to her ear. She looked shyly at him.

"Oh… You're very kind to animals, Miss... Ah, I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Kamado Tanjirou, a first-year student! Nice to meet you! " He bowed, albeit sloppily, and took out his hand, which made the girl in front of him giggle.

"Tsuyuri."

"Eh?"

"Tsuyuri Kanao. Second-year, member of the Flower Arrangement Club. Um..." she gathered herself, "Thank you! For.. um, catching me, I mean. And for treating my wound!" she frantically clarified, and took his extended hand.

"You're very welcome, Tsuyuri-senpai..." Tanjirou's crooked yet bright smile once again graced his features, directed at her only. Once their hands made contact that inexplicable tingly and fluttery sensation coursed through their veins once more.

It’s like earlier, the moment our eyes first met.  

They just stood there, his dawn-red eyes meeting her amethyst ones, both of their lips drawn into a soft smile. In that ephemeral moment, she felt something piercing her heart, perhaps the season was getting on to her. She must admit, this feels nice…. Is this what her sisters meant about spring?

He was the first one to relinquish his hand from her hold. For some reason, she's now missing the warmth in her hand.

"It's gonna get dark soon, we should head home, huh?" She heard him mutter. She silently agreed, now trailing beside him. Leaving one last glance at the blooming tree, they left the place together. Tanjirou was now enthusiastically talking about bread and the bakery that his family owns. As they approached the school gates, Kanao already spotted her two elder sisters there, waiting for her.

"Oh, Kanae nee-san and Shinobu nee-san's already there," she remarked.

"They're your sisters?!" Tanjirou exclaimed.

"That's right!" she quipped, giggling a bit at his bewildered expression.

"Yoo-hoo, Kanao! And oh my, Kamado-kun too!" Kanae cheerily waved at them. Shinobu greeted them with a smile too. But when she spotted Kanao's wrapped right hand, her eyebrows shot up. She looked at her little sister in question. Kanao pursed her lips guiltily, mouthing "Later."

"Well then, I'll be taking my leave now! I'll see you next Monday, Kochou-sensei! Shinobu-senpai! And..." Tanjirou paused to look at her, smiling crookedly at her again. "Tsuyuri-senpai!" With a wave, the red-haired lad trotted off.

Kanao waved at him, whispering, "Take care..."

Once Tanjirou was out of earshot, two pairs of hands immediately fell to her shoulders and she turned to see her two sisters smiling sweetly at her. Kanae's eyes were shining with excitement and joy. Shinobu, meanwhile, smiled at her graciously too, but her expression literally said, “Explain or I’ll extract from it to you forcibly”.

Oh no. Once intrigue swept over them, they would never stop.

"My oh my Kanao. Care to tell the story between you and Kamado-kun, hmm? And what's up with your wrapped hand?" Shinobu said sweetly but laced with a little apprehension.

"Ahh! Shinobu, spring has finally come for our cute little sister, I'm so proud of her~! Let's eat some sakura mochi for dessert later, we have lots to celebrate for tonight!" Kanae passionately declared while she grabbed Kanao in a one-armed hug.

"Nee-san! We have to treat her wound first!" Shinobu said exasperatedly, raising her little sister's hand for her to see.

"Oh my~! Kamado-kun did a great job patching her up, no? I'll give him some extra points in the next class for this! He deserves a reward for treating our cute little sister~!" Kanae ignored her younger sister's quips, too excited that her Kanao had finally found a friend of the opposite sex (and a potential little brother too!)

"Isn't that a bit too much, nee=san? And you, Kanao, I didn't know you're now canoodling with rule-breakers? I see that boy running into trouble with Tomioka-sensei all the time!" Shinobu quipped.

"N-no! It wasn't anything like that!" Kanao stammered, her cheeks and ears now fully red.

Kanae giggled. Then she wrapped her arms around their shoulders, with Shinobu on her left, and Kanao on her right. "Let's go home now shall we? We can tell each other's stories tonight! I'm also curious about what happened to you Kanao. Shinobu, take it a little easy for our little sister, she's now starting to bloom and broke out of her timid shell!"

The two butterfly girls sighed but smiled fondly at their elder sister nonetheless. "Yes, nee-san.."

----------------

"I'm home!"

"Welcome back, onii-chan!" Tanjirou's little siblings, Hanako and Shigeru, greeted their eldest brother, running up to him for a quick hug. The oldest Kamado sibling immediately hugged them both tightly.

"You're a little late than usual today Tanjirou-nii chan, did something happen at school?" Hanako questioned after he set them down.

"Well..." he averted his gaze, picking on his blazer until he found a stray small cherry blossom flower that somewhat got stuck in his breast pocket.  Ah, a small remnant of that 'little incident' a while ago… and her image suddenly flashed in his mind

"An angel from the sky fell right into my arms and she had the most beautiful eyes that I've ever seen..." Tanjirou unknowingly mused, holding the small flower in his fingers with a wistful smile.

Hanako and Shigeru tilted their heads at their elder brother's mysterious words. “What are you talking about nii-chan?”

Instead of answering, he just patted their heads lovingly. "Ah, nothing. Let's help mom prepare dinner, shall we?"

~End of Prompt One~

[gruviafan-forever]

CAFE LOVE (GRUVIA)

A/N: This is a modern au one shot.

Gray's age: 26 years

Juvia's age: 23 years

Today was the tenth time Gray Fullbuster is going to visit ' Nora's Cafe ' in a span of two months.

When asked about his frequent visit to the cafe by his friends, all he said was, 'the food over there was worth every penny'.

His friends especially the girls didn't believe his reason as they knew a guy never visits any place twice until and unless that has some significance in his life.

But Gray defended himself from their silly assumptions and carried on with his office work.

Slowly few months passed by and Gray's visit became a routine both to him and the cafe.

The manager of the cafe becomes delighted every time Gray paid them a visit.

One fine Saturday evening, when Gray reached the cafe his eyes widened due to shock when he saw his female friends standing in front of the cafe while grinning at him.

Gray's eyes twitched and smiled sheepishly while waving his palms at them.

"Hi girls, what brings you here?" He asked them in a surprised tone.

The beautiful blonde, Lucy Heartfillia and the Scarlet haired beauty, Erza Fernandez, both were his best female friends after Natsu Dragneel whom he considered as a frenemy and a good brother. He also happens to be Lucy's fiance.

Just a year back, Erza Scarlet married the love of her life, Jellal Fernandez in a lavish wedding ceremony which was held in one of the biggest churches of Magnolia.

Gray had known them since his childhood and all of them shared an unspoken bond of blossoming friendship since their school days which continued further even after finding their stands in their respective careers.

"Just thought of having girl's night. Nothing much." Erza spoke as she smiled at him.

Gray raised his eyebrow knowing very well their secret intentions.

"Good, so carry on. I will take my leave. Bye, have a fun filled evening."

Gray literally began to move backwards knowing that was the best thing.

Lucy caught hold of his wrist and smirked, "Well Gray, now you are here. Why don't you spend some time us? It would be fun to catch up with you."

Erza grinned and caught hold of his other wrist and pulled him into the cafe.

Now he knew there was no turning back and his secret would be out any moment from now.

Once the trio entered the cafe, one of the attendee escorted them to an empty space opposite to cash counter where a young pretty blunette sat on her desk doing some work in the computer, Juvia Locksar, the manager of Nora's Cafe.

Gray sat on the bench facing the blunette while the girls sat opposite to him.

The attendee gave them the menu and waited for them to order.

Gray fidgeted as the thought of spending time with two ladies might cause a bad impression in the eyes of certain blunette which he didn't want to happen in any case.

As if on cue, Juvia raised her head from the monitor and saw her crush staring at her which made her blush.

Seeing her flustered Gray gave his cheeky grin and waved his hand to greet her.

Juvia shyly waved her hand and mouthed him her greeting with a warm smile.

That's when her smile dropped as she took notice of two ladies who had accompanied her crush whose faces were not clear except for their hair colors.

Ever since she opened this cafe six months back, Gray had frequently visited her cafe and became her regular costumer.

Juvia had harbored those warm feelings for him since the day he began talking to her on a friendly manner which was on his 4th visit over here. 

So till now, she and Gray had become best of friends who shared an amicable relationship. 

They started talking via mobile just a month back much to Juvia's delight as Gray was the one who asked her number first with a huge blush on his cheeks which she swore would never forget in her lifetime.

Sometimes she wished herself to be a bit more confident and declare her love to him.

But she feared as she didn't want to ruin the best of their relationship.

After checking through the menu Erza and Lucy ordered their choice and Gray said his usual which the attendee nodded her head and went to get their respective dishes.

"So Gray, it looks like you are a regular customer here. Tell us, what's so good in this cafe?" Lucy smirked.

Erza looked around the wall paintings and decorations around the cafe which pleased and amused her.

That's when she saw the blunette who was looking at them.

She instantly turned her head to the side, then again looked at Erza as if some kind of realization dawned upon her which was same for Erza.

"Hey Juvia"

"Hello Erza-San"

Juvia got up from her chair and went near her to personally greet. When Juvia reached the table where the trio were seated.

Erza got up and hugged her which caused confusion for both Gray and Lucy.

"How are you? I never knew this was the cafe which you opened.

        Sorry I couldn't visit you with Jellal during the opening day and these six months were so hectic as we were busy finishing the projects of several clients at a time." Erza apologized.

Juvia broke the hug and smiled brightly, "It's okay, nee-San. Juvia knows how busy you have been lately.

   She's happy that you got time to visit her cafe. Welcome to Nora's cafe."

"Well sorry to interrupt your moment, how do you know Juvia?"

Gray asked her as he clearly heard his crush calling his friend as a sister. He was curious to know the relationship between them.

"Gray-sama, nee-san is Juvia's brother's wife, basically her sister-in-law. Didn't Juvia say to you that she has an elder brother who is married to a beautiful, elegant lady?" Juvia told him with a flustered cheeks.

Gray formed an 'O' mouth and mentally began to fidget after grasping the new found information. 

'Man, so she's the sister Jellal mentioned and the cutie pie sister-in-law of Erza.

    Both of them will bury me if they found out that I'm having a crush on her.' Gray thought to himself.

While Lucy and Erza were more keen on knowing the reason behind Gray's suffix and why she called him with a flushed face.

"Gray-sama??" Both Lucy and Erza asked in unison.

They looked at both Gray and Juvia whose face was cherry colored due to embarrassment while the former tried to suppress the warmth from spreading across his face.

Gray fake coughed to grab the sudden heavy atmosphere under his control, "Well Lucy and Erza, as you know she is Juvia. I befriended her here and ever since then we have been good friends."

Then Juvia continued, "Yeah, Gray-sama has become Juvia's friend for 6 months now. She never knew he could be your friend, nee-san."

Just as she was about to continue further the customers called her to collect their bills which might keep her busy for sometime.

After Juvia left, a cheeky grin appeared on both the girls face, "So Gray, now we understand the reason behind your frequent visits. She's cute and pretty. Nice choice indeed." Lucy teased him.

"Did you ask her out still?" Erza asked him as she folded her arms against her chest.

Gray decided to let the cat out of the bag and shook his head in sideways while rubbing the back of his neck.

The ladies smiled at him, "So you do like her?" Erza asked him.

"Hey I love her. Six months ago, I saw her in a day care center when I went to pick up Lyon's son. There she was happily playing and taking care of those little ones. That moment itself she entered my heart.    

      Luckily the next day, I entered this cafe to have dinner before heading back home. That's when I came to know she's the manager of this place. So every weekend I would end up here. She would welcome me with her warm, bright smile.

    Slowly I began falling for her as I came to know more about her. Just last month, we exchanged numbers and began talking and texting on everyday basis. I'm just hoping even she feels the same towards me."

Gray said looking at his crush who was busy collecting the bills.

Lucy thought for awhile then exclaimed her idea, "Hey let's test if she also feels the same towards you.

    As far as I saw the way she looked at you with that flustered face.

   I'm damn sure she loves you too. To confirm your doubts, why don't we make her feel jealous?"

Gray raised his eyebrow at her idea, "What do you mean?"

"She means we are going to make Juvia jealous by hitching you with Lucy for sometime now.

   If her face and mood changes then that means she also harbours those kind of feelings for you." 

Erza exclaimed and her brown eyes shone with glitter.

"No...I don't want her to think that I'm committed. It will ruin my chances with her. Give some other ideas." Gray protested just then their order arrives to the table.

After taking a few bites, Lucy convinced Gray that it would be very subtle and need not worry about that.

After finishing their dishes, Lucy went to pay the bill while Gray and Erza sat waiting for the action to unfold.

Juvia smiled at her, "Oh Lucy-san, right?"

"Yes,Juvia. Here is the bill and take the  card."

Lucy handed her card while Juvia swiped the card on the machine and held to Lucy so that she could enter the pin.

"So I heard my Gray visits your cafe often. Thank you for taking care of him." Lucy flashed her toothy grin.

Juvia's color faded from her face when she heard Lucy as 'My Gray'.

Her voice choked as she never expected Gray to be committed as by the way he interacted with her, seemed to her more like he was single.

"Ye...yeah, I.its okay,Lucy-san. It's Juvia's duty to take care of her customers. We must treat every customer as a king. So there's no problem." Juvia let out the words in a depressed tone.

Lucy took the hint from her voice and felt guilty for making her sad. But that was not enough to clear her doubts.

"Juvia, are you free next Saturday?" Lucy asked her in a chirpy tone.

"Well Juvia has to see the month planner to know that. May Juvia know the reason, Lucy-san?"

Lucy grinned, "I thought you could come and meet the rest of our friends. Moreover, it's my Gray's birthday before the wedding. So will you join us?"

Juvia's eyes widened due to shock and big droplet of water began to form in those blue orbs.

Juvia excused herself and ran to the locker room to let out her tears. She felt a very painful ache in heart. 

"Why does it always happen to Juvia? Why can't Juvia find the love of her life?"

        When she thought, she finally met her dream man but all her hopes got shattered.

      She shouldn't have fallen for his charms and antics."

Juvia cried out looking at herself as a mess in front of the mirror. Just then, the door opened and entered her crush with a worried look adorned on his handsome visage.

"Juvia, were you crying?" He asked in concern and closed the gap between them.

Juvia quickly wiped her tears and smiled at him as if nothing happened.

"No Gray-sama, it's just some dirt fell in her eyes. That's all. See now Juvia is alright." She smiled at him.

Gray remained silent and looked down at her as if waiting to hear more from her. 

"Juvia, are you free tomorrow morning?" 

Juvia wondered why he was asking her. She guessed it must be the reason which Lucy told her to introduce her to the rest of the members of her brother's gang.

"Why do you ask, Gray-sama?"

Gray said with red cheeks, "Because we are going on a date. Be ready at 10 am. I will pick you up."

Juvia blinked her eyes in confusion and wondered whether she heard him right.

"Gray-sama, why would you take Juvia on a date? If you are getting married to Lucy-san." Juvia raised her voice.

Gray chuckled and pinched her nose, "She's getting married to my friend, Natsu whom I mentioned a few days back. Remember?

    And moreover, she was playing a trick on you to find whether you also feel the same towards me.

    Looks like you do feel the same way for me.  I love you, Juvia. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Juvia sighed in relief and became flushed with Gray's confession.

Without further ado, she hugged him tightly and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Yes Gray-sama. Juvia is willing to be your girlfriend. If Gray-sama wishes to be her boyfriend?" Juvia grew red with the sudden bold confession.

Gray chuckled and ran his hand on her back, "Sure I would love too."

Soon the door opened to reveal Erza and Lucy with a soft smile. Lucy apologised to Juvia for playing tricks on her.

 And clarified that she and Natsu was getting married next month and invited her personally.

Then both the ladies congratulated the couple in front of her.

But Erza could see a bit of disappointment in her eyes which she could make out reason behind her worry.

"Juvia, don't worry. I will make your brother to give you permission. If not, he won't be laid for another one year.

   And Gray, if you make her sad, I and Jellal will break your neck. Got it?"

Erza threatened her friend and became protective of her sister-in-law.

Gray gulped and nodded his head in agreement while the girls giggled.

[lynneshobbydomain]

Memories To Last (OwaMiki Week 2020 Day 4)

((Damn I’m late. I will possibly come back to this and polish this to a better look. Also please, please, please be wary of the tags. The prompt was angst and I came prepared with angst. Please if anything is triggering for you don’t touch it! This will include Major Character Death as well. Thank you so much for OwaMiki Week 2020 for hosting this event!))

Prompt: Angst/Soulmate-Au

Rating: T (16+)

Summary: The said that high school romances don’t last long, and they were lucky that they lasted as long as they did. MIkan thought about how she met Mondo and how they said their inevitable goodbyes.

You can read under the cut or here at my AO3

They said that high school romances don’t last long, and that they were lucky to have lasted for as long as they did. Mikan supposed that was an accurate assumption, as most high school romances did die after graduation. After the initial rebelling against fate and the words that were etched on everyone’s skin, they would unintentionally find their soulmate as they went out into the world. The statistics of finding one’s soulmate in a high school setting was astronomically low. 

She had met hers in the courtyard during lunch. Mahiru, Ibuki, and Hiyori were waiting for her underneath a shaded tree. Mikan had been trying to restock the nurse’s office, as it was her Ultimate and she was shadowing the former Ultimate School Nurse to practice her talent. Today the Nurse was absent, and Mikan had been allowed to miss school until she came back in order to practice and take care of the students. Mikan didn’t doubt that it was an early practical test since taking care of real patients would determine more than a dummy would. 

She was going to have to eat lunch quickly and go back to her job so that if someone got sick or hurt, they would be able to find her. She rushed out of the school and without looking where she was going, slammed herself into a hard wall that made her fall to the ground, hitting her rump and lower back. 

“Shit are ya okay?” She opened her watering eyes to see a hand being held out to her, and a tough-looking gangster standing above her. Her eyes widened in fear before she scrambled up, ignoring the burning on her right forearm as she got onto her feet. She missed the scarred words turning red in acknowledgement until much later that day.

“I-I’m o-okay. I’m so so-sorry!” Mikan apologized profusely. “P-please let me g-go.” Before he could say anything, she grabbed her things and ran away from him. 

It would take days before she would speak to him again. She knew that he was her soulmate, and she felt so ashamed of herself for just running. Of course she would get someone terrifying as a soulmate. Of course it was going to be someone that would probably hurt her. She knew that soulmates were supposed to be good for each other, and that they were supposed to bring out the best in each other, but...she wasn’t sure about this. Gang members never were kind and they were always in dangerous situations. Mikan didn’t want any trouble. She just wanted him to stay as far away from her as possible.

Mikan now would roll her eyes at the teenager that she was. It took Mondo coming into the nurse’s office with a good gash on his head, bleeding and bruised. As if he had just come out from a scrap. She nearly toppled over her supplies in shock when she saw him, bent over against the frame of the door. Both of each other looked, and the scary-looking bike leader was about to leave.

“Wait! Where are you going?” Mikan called out after him, getting to his side and grabbing his arm. “You need to rest and that cut looks dangerous. You need to sit down.”

“Ya don’ want anythin’ to do with me.” Mondo said gruffly. “I can handle it myself.”

“Now’s really not the time to put on a tough guy act.” Mikan panicked. Head injuries were no laughing matter. The slightest bump could be fatal if it was hit in the right place. She dragged him over towards a bed and made him sit down. “I’m going to ask you some questions now and I need to be honest with me and tell me what you think the answer is.”

“What is this a fuckin’ math test?” Mondo asked, his voice raising a little. Mikan flinched, but she had a feeling that he was worried about his own memory. What kind of signs he’d show. 

“Please?!” Mikan wasn’t above begging. “Please. I’ll do anything if you’ll just answer.” Wrong choice of words, but...it got him to stop and clamp his mouth shut. “What’s your name?”

“Mondo Oowada. Nice to fuckin’ meet you I guess.”

“Oowada-san.” Mikan said slowly, “I’m Mikan Tsumiki. It is nice to meet you too. Do you remember what day it is?”

“It’s a monday ain’t it?” Another raised pitch, he didn’t like being unsure of himself. 

“Good, but I was looking for a date.” Mikan prompted as she started to wash the wound. It was a shallow cut, nothing that would need stitches, but it liked to bleed. “Can you tell me that?”

“....Not really.”

“Okay. We can work with that. What’s the capital of Japan?”

“Tokyo. Obviously.”

“Where do you go to school?”

“Hope’s Peak Academy. Am I in the clear, nurse?” Mondo asked gruffly.

“You’re in the clear.” Mikan assured him as she finished putting the bandage on his head. She was grateful for no lasting damage, but she really hoped this wasn’t going to be a common occurrence. She fidgeted with her hands and she felt her throat tighten. She couldn’t let him leave without knowing how serious this was. “I-if you start feeling bad you need to come back here or go to the hospital. Headaches are probably going to be common, but if you start to get a migraine that doesn’t go away after a few hours, or if your stomach starts to get upset, then you want to consider emergency action. You need to have someone watch for you as you recover.”

“That’s it?” Mondo grinned. “Hell yeah. I was expectin’ somethin’ far worse than that! Thanks, doll.”

“Do-doll?!” Mikan stared at him before she remembered that a) this was her soulmate and b) she was going to have to get used to whatever pet name he gave her. “O-oh. Yo-you’re not upset wi-with me then?”

“Upset with you?” Mondo stared at her for a long moment before he looked away. “Look, I probably scared you when I asked if you were okay. I didn’t mean for my voice to get that loud and I was a bit nervous. Sorry.”

“N-no. I do-don’t blame you fo-for getting upset.” Mikan looked away, fidgeting. “Yo-you probably wo-would be an-angry that your soul-soulmate was a clutz li-like me. I do-don’t blame you for ha-hating me.”

“What the fuck?” Mondo looked up at her and Mikan bit her lower lip nervously. “Who the fuck am I punchin’?”

“Huh?!” Mikan immediately got worried. “No, you are not punching anyone! You ju-just got out of a fi-fight! You nee-need to rest more than, more than anything right now!” 

“No one should be sayin’ shit like that to you. Jesus Christ if I find out you’re-”

Mikan wasn’t sure if she should be touched with the fact that he was willing to fight someone on her behalf despite just meeting her and knowing tha she was his soulmate, or be worried that it was his first response. “I-it’s no big deal.” She assured. “Ri-right now you sho-shouldn’t be punching an-anyone. If you are I’m, uh, I’m going to b-be really m-mad at you.”

They both kept a look at each other and Mikan wanted to hide underneath a table or apologize. He was injured though, and she needed to stay on somewhat of a firm foot. He couldn’t jeopardize his health like that. Finally he looked away and got himself up. “I’ll keep an eye out on my injuries.” He said after a moment. “Thanks for lookin’ out for me Mikan.”

“An-anytime Oowada-san.”

“Mondo. Call me Mondo.”

It was supposed to be the end of that, but they continued to run into each other after that. Mikan was too worried about him to let him go, and he kept getting hurt every other week. Nagito would call it the best luck ever to have hit her and most of her classmates would agree. Of course, with Nagito’s superstition about his luck, whatever good happens, bad wasn’t too far behind. 

Of course all relationships had their ups and their downs, Mikan wouldn’t say that Mondo’s and hers was anything that was sweet and perfect. They fought. He was stubborn, she was a worry-wart, they both argued on the occasion about her getting hurt and her friends and in turn they’d argue about him and his bike riding and the fights that he would get himself into. He gave her more than enough heart attacks throughout high school, and the one time she wound up in the hospital herself made him snap.

“You’re comin’ home with me.” He said when he sat down next to her. The machines next to her beeped insistently. She had small gifts on her bedside table. If anyone wasn’t familiar with Mondo, they would’ve thought that he was trying to intimidate her with how close his chair was to her bed and how he sat, ready to get up on his feet and knock someone’s light’s out. His hands were already balled into fists, hanging on his lap. His expression is too serious to take lightly. 

Mikan didn’t have the heart or the energy to argue with him this time. She was lucky to have been able to crawl to the telephone and ask for the ambulance. She was used to being tortured and made fun of. She was used to having her hair pulled and yanked around. She was used to getting slammed into walls and being looked at. Being used in more ways than one. She deserved every little bit of it, she believed. Yet this time...this time she knew that they crossed the line. She broke her arm down the stairs and she couldn’t walk. She knew she tore something inside of her and she was right. 

As much as they hated her now, they were under arrest and the kit was done and the evidence was gathered. Mondo must’ve heard that she was stuck here through the grapevine. She didn’t doubt that Mahiru or Peko might’ve had an idea of what was going on. Peko considered that she was part of the yakuza and listened in on police scanners. Mahiru because if she was absent for anything, it was because she wasn’t in great shape. 

“O-okay.” Mikan murmured. “I’m so-sorry.”

“Not this time, nurse.” Mondo assured. “Nothin’ to be sorry. We’ll get it right.”

She still had no idea what that meant, but she could understand the implication. Mikan gathered what little she had and she did move in with the Ooada family and she had to learn fast to get used to loud voices. Every single one of them were loud. Yelling was a common household theme. 

They did their best to soften around her and they did their best to make sure that they weren’t overly obnoxious, but there were times where she heard Mondo’s mother knock a couple pans out of the way and made her flinch, and where she heard Mondo and his mother talk as though they were arguing when in reality it was just another conversation. 

Mikan brought her hands together and rubbed them against her forehead, trying to keep her heart from breaking further at the memories that were playing through her mind. Their first date. Their first kiss. The first time he called her “babe”. The moment he proposed to her and married her. 

“What do ya think of kids?”  

Mikan was trying to help wash dishes and hadn’t expected the question. The plate slipped out of her fingers dropped back into the soapy water, splashing at her mercilessly. Mondo laughed and she let out a sharp whine giving him a look. “Yo-you did that on pu-purpose!” She was getting better at trying to bicker with him. It was how he showed he was close to people and it didn’t do her any good to apologize with a head bowed low. He inspired her to be confident, and in turn their apartment wasn’t filled with banging doors and softer expressions of affection.

“Nah. I was actually just curious. I was just thinkin’ about it and was wondering your thoughts. Not expectin’ an answer though. I’m damn happy to be where I am now. No pressure.”

“Kids.” Mikan mused as she reached for the plate and started to scrub it again. She let her mind wander as she tried to picture the family. It would have to be a big one, Mondo wasn’t the type that would go for just one. If he was then that would be a surprise. She thought about where they were in their lives. Mikan worked extremely long hours and she barely got to be home. Mondo worked as a carpenter, but still rode his bike on occasion with his gang since they got married. Between the two of them they made enough to be comfortable, and it’d stay like that if they had one or two. “I…” She trailed off. “Maybe.” She said in answer.

“Again there’s really no fuckin’ pressure.” Mondo looked at her. “I’m happy as we are.”

“Y-yes, but…” Mikan trailed off. “I do wan-want to be a mot-mother. I ju-just don’t kno-know how good of one I-I’d be. W-we could d-do it if w-we wanted to.”

“I get it.” Mondo said quietly as he took the plate from her and started drying it. Mikan panicked a little inwardly, trying to think of where she might’ve gone wrong in her statement. “I don’t know how good of a father I’d be. My dad ditched my mom after I was born. Mom had to raise me and Daiya by her lonesome.”

“I-I don’t thi-think you’d leave.” Mikan assured. “I-if any-anything yo-you’d stick so close t-to me we wo-would be att-attached to the hip.”

“Hell yea.” Mondo flashed her a grin. “So you in or you out?”

No pressure. Mikan smiled thoughtfully. “In.” She said, mustering all the confidence in the world to say it.

Of course that was the start of the problem wasn’t it? It was the start where everything that went wrong could go wrong. Mikan nor Mondo ever really told anyone about it. It had happened so quickly, and they were internally grateful that they both had thought to wait on announcing anything when it happened.

Mondo and Mikan threw themselves into work, but they also threw themselves together when they were able to meet again from long work hours, trying to recover from the loss. They talked here and there about trying again, but the moment always felt wrong to them both. As if they were trying to replace something that couldn’t ever be replaced. 

Now this and Mikan was devastated. She looked up from tracing the words on her arms as she looked at Mondo’s lying form in the hospital bed. It had been a wreck. She was on call for thirty six hours, and she had just barely started her shift when she was told to get off the clock and get into the waiting room. There was no way she could help, it was unethical practice and she was too emotionally attached to the patient. All she could do was pray and pray and pray…

But praying didn’t work here and his mother was sitting on the other side of him. Brain dead, they said. He was on life support, but there was no way that was going to continue. There was no way it was going to last. Mikan twisted her rings, trying to come up with something to say but she couldn’t.

How did she miss her arm turning black?

“Hey babe, me the boys are going to go on one last ride around the town.”

Mikan looked up from reading and she grinned at him. It had been a hot minute since he thought about going with his friends. “B-be safe.” She told him sincerely.

“Always.” He walked behind her and gave her an upside down kiss, cupping her cheek and stroking her hair, just the way she liked before he moved off of her. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Mikan beamed.

Of course it wasn’t every day the last words spoken were going to be loving ones. She saw blackened words of hate and of ambiguity. She saw how her patient’s lovers and friends all felt remorse for the things that they said, things that they wish they could say. She was grateful that Mondo didn’t live like that. 

He lived with saying everything that he needed to say. There wasn’t a person in their friend group that could have remorse. More conversations? Of course, that would be the most common regret. More hangouts? More invites? More being around each other? Mikan knew those kinds of regrets wouldn’t sit well with the biker. 

“I-is it okay if…” Mikan let out a shuddering breath, trying to hold herself together even though she wanted to burst into tears. Later. She could fall apart later. “If I...called his friends? L...let t-them-”

“Of course.” Her mother in law said quietly. It was the first time and the only time Mikan ever heard her talk so soft. As though she was afraid that she was going to wake Mondo up. Mikan wanted to assure her that Mondo could sleep through anything, but...that was the point now. She stumbled upwards and went into the hallway. 

She didn’t go to the phone at first, she went straight to the bathroom and turned on the faucet as loud as she could get it. She burst into tears and collapsed onto her knees. She as all alone. She was going to be all alone. She wasn’t going to go to the apartment and see him. She wasn’t going to hear him yell for her across the  apartment. They weren’t going to bicker over little things like dinner plans and dates. They weren’t going to cuddle on the couch and watch something stupid on the television. They weren’t going to….

She cried until her heart couldn’t take it and her stomach hurt. She cried until her body ached and she just wanted to go home and wrap herself in a blanket. She wanted to pretend that this was all a bad dream and that he was going to be at the apartment. This was just a nightmare and she was going to wake up. 

She was going to wake up?

She stood on wobbling legs and she held herself steady on the sink. Her face was splotchy and her eyes were swollen and red. She looked like a mess and she couldn't bring herself to apologize for it. Not even to her reflection. She turned the water off, not needing it anymore to hide her sobbing and crying. She tried to find a way to pull herself together, but every time she thought she stitched herself up correctly she wanted to fall apart again.

She needed to call his friends.

Taka.

Makoto.

She needed to call them especially. She stumbled out of the bathroom and headed towards the phones. She apologized over and over again, her voice breaking. She couldn’t remember exactly what she said, or what she was told...but she knew that the message got across and…

Taka was there within an instant. She knew it took him much longer than that, but he was there within a good few minutes. Makoto wasn’t far behind. It...was hard to be there with them. Taka was unashamed in his emotions and she burst back into tears as he cried. They both hugged each other, trying desperately to comfort each other but at the same time understanding that the loss was going to be inevitable. Makoto also shed tears, and was dragged into a hug as well. 

They tried to swap stories, share memories, but it was raw. It was hard. Mikan felt like it was poking at a bruise that had yet to heal, still fresh. She thought about him in the nurses office and all the times in between with wounds and a smile. He was bulletproof until he wasn’t anymore.

She went back to her apartment soon afterwards, unable to keep her eyes open and knowing she needed the strength for what would come next. The plans, the goodbyes, the event. Mondo would want all of his friends there, his ex-gang. They undoubtedly felt ashamed for what had happened, and she couldn’t...bring herself to hate them. It was easier to forgive. 

She sat on the bed, trying to keep herself together but knowing that she was going to fall apart. She was alone. The apartment felt empty and devoid of life. She rubbed her arm again, tracing the black words as she tried to keep her sanity. The only positive thought that went through her mind was what her friends had told her a long time ago. That high school romances didn’t last long, and that they were lucky to have lasted as long as they did. 

[littledrabbledribbles]

The Konoha Kunoichis and their pregnancies

Sakura was terrified when she woke up with morning sickness the same day that Sasuke left for a covert mission. She wiped the sweat from her brow and splashed cold water on her face. She looked at her face expecting something different about her, a glow, a shimmer of difference. There was something different but it wasn’t anything that would be noticed for another few months. It had been over two months since Sasuke returned to the village and she couldn’t recall a night that they did not spend together. At night Sasuke had no defenses and gave in to her, night after night with passion and lust that seemed to make up for lost time. 

She walked over to the hospital and found Tsunade.

“Tsunade-sama, I need to take a pregnancy test.” She whispered, worried about being overheard. She didn’t feel like telling anyone yet. 

“What? Are you really?” She held up a green aura from her hand and placed it over Sakura’s stomach. She laughed. “I can definitely sense something, albeit it small.” She took her to the patient room and supplied her with the test. When it came back positive, she cried. 

“Congratulations Sakura, looks like you are about 6 weeks,” Tsunade looked over the blood results. “Are you going to tell Sasuke when he comes back?”

“I don’t know what to tell him,” she said.

“Just tell him that you are going to be a father to a little Aka-chan,” Tsunade laughed out loud.

“Aka-chan,” she said to herself. She was surprisingly calm. She didn’t know what the end result would be, but knowing that there was a little one growing inside of her brought about a whole new sense of purpose. She cradled her stomach feeling warmth from within, and a new bond that was slowly taking hold of her life.

“I can’t wait to meet you, Aka-can,” she told herself.

--------

In the first month that HInata was pregnant, she sensed her chakra was shifting, morphing and depleting at the same time. She had to put her training on hold, especially with Hanabi, her younger sister. Hanabi was troubled by it, wondering why she would cancel so often. 

“You can’t get better if you are always postponing, nee-chan,” she said. Hinata bowed low.

“Sorry Hanabi, I just don’t feel that well.”

The following day, Hanabi found her in the kitchen, passed out on the floor. She rushed over to her side to see that she was alright.

“Hanabi? What happened?”

“You tell me! I found you on the floor. Come, lets go to the hospital, see if there is really something wrong with you.”

When they got the tests back from the hospital, Tsunade was there to congratulate her.

“You are expecting Hinata, almost a whole month!”

Hanabi was speechless, and HInata was turning a shade of red that made roses envious.

“You mean, Naruto-kun and I are…”

“Going to be parents!” Hanabi broke the silence. “And I am going to be an auntie!”

When Naruto returned home from the academy, Hinata was waiting for him with a present in her lap. 

“What’s this?”

“Open it and find out,” When Naruto took out a positive pregnancy test he was confused. It took him a whole minute to register but once it did, she heard the hope that was catching in his throat.

“A baby?” Naruto asked. Hinata had tears in her eyes and nodded. He wiped his own tears with his hands and picked her up delicately, pushing her close to him. He couldn’t stop repeating, “A baby, a baby, we’re having a baby dattebayo!”

-----

Ino always loved the smell of her flower shop until she was three weeks pregnant, and the smell was overwhelming her. That was when without a doubt that she was pregnant. Telling Sai about it was the easiest conversation she recalled at the moment. 

“How many months are you Ino?”

“I don’t know, but I’m planning to go to the hospital to see.”

“Can I go too?” Sai asked. Ino blushed.

“If you would like to…”

As they approached the hospital, Sai didn’t stop asking questions. He asked about any cravings she had, what smells were sensitive to her, and what she wanted him to do. Although they were already married for three months, Sai was always the one that liked taking charge, and Ino had a hard time adjusting to being taken care of. 

“Good news comes in threes I see,” Tsunade said.

“What do you mean Tsunade-sama?” 

“Nandemonai,” she said, handing her the positive test result. “Congratulations you two.” Sai smiled as he read over Ino’s shoulder. 

“Thank you,” Sai said, “Ino, are you happy?”

“Of course! We’re having a baby!” she hugged her husband tight, “I have to go tell Sakura!”

As soon as they left the hospital, Sakura was walking out.

“Ah! Just who I wanted to see! Sakura I have something to tell you.”

“Oh? What is it Ino?” Sakura was looking over the test results to see how many weeks she was again.

“Guess who is pregnant?”

“Eh? Who told you?” Sakura remarked, she threw the results in her bag, wondering if Ino saw them.

“I just found out!”

“EH? Did Naruto tell you?”

“Huh? Tell me what?”

“How did you know that I’m pregnant?”

“YOU’RE PREGNANT?”

“Congratulations Sakura.” Sai said reaching his wife and former teammate. “Don’t forget to mention it to Lord Hokage, I am sure he will be happy to hear it.”

-----

Temari woke with a headache and took it all out on Shikamaru that day. She didn’t cook or clean, and when he asked what was wrong she kicked him out of their room. Shikamaru slept in the living room outside while she would toss and turn all night, complaining about a searing headache and tenderness everywhere. 

“Maybe we should take you to the hospital.”

“I’ll take your ass to the morgue.”

“Maybe they can tell you why you are feeling and acting like this.”

“Acting like what?”

“Nothing, forget I said anything,” he muttered under his breath, “what a drag.”

Temari went to the hospital alone the next day. The light in the hospital was giving her a migraine, the people were talking too loud, and she felt she was waiting for more than the hour she was told. 

“How can we help you, Temari-san?” the nurse asked.

“I haven’t been feeling the best, I can’t stand my head, I ache all over but haven’t been training, and I can’t keep my lunch down.”

“Let’s get some blood work done, and also a urine sample,” the nurse smiled. She quickly withdrew after seeing Temari’s death glare. How could someone be so happy when she was beyond miserable?

“How long do I have to wait for the results?”

“We will try to get the results as soon as we can Temari-san.” the nurse took her samples and ran out the door. She felt Temari was going to murder her any second. 

Luckily she was able to deliver the urine sample within minutes.

“Looks like you are expecting Temari-san,” the nurse said. “We are going to put the blood work in just to verify for sure. Congratulations.”

Temari couldn’t believe it. But it made the most sense. It explained her mood swings, the fact that she was wanting to murder everyone and most important, why she couldn’t stand to see Shikamaru’s face. 

“Well, guess it would be time to confront him about it.”

When she told Shikamaru the news, he laughed. 

“That explains everything,” he said.

-----

Karui ate more than Choji did when she found out that she was pregnant. Choji laughed and hugged her tightly.

“I can tell he is going to be a strong one!”

“Oh? And how do you know that we are having a boy?” Karui asked.

“It is just a feeling I have,” Choji said. They split the last piece of meat that they were eating together. “I heard Naruto and Hinata are also expecting. And Shikamaru and Temari. Ino found out three days ago.”

“The future is looking brighter by the minute.” Karui said, finishing a whole bowl of rice in seconds. “Ne, what if its a girl?”

“Then she will be a fierce beauty like her mother.” She always liked his sweeter side. Karui rubbed her stomach and softly smiled. 

“I sure hope so,” she said.

[endestprana]

Technostar: Palettes

“They’re closing in… the hurdles are there in the horizon of fate… waiting for the chance…”

Riko was humming as she walked her way to the school that morning. She sang along the piano piece her sister gave her before. As she focused her vision up, she caught a glimpse of someone she knew. The girl there was seemingly playing with her phone while she didn’t look at the road she stepped on. Surely, that said girl then unconsciously missed her step and fell with her face met the ground. Groaning soon echoed.

“Yoshiko-chan, are you okay?” worried Riko as she arrived near Yoshiko

“…Ah, Riko? Yeah, I’m fine.” Riko lend her hand “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Riko helped the girl stood up and they continued together to their class. After a while, Yoshiko noticed that the golden eyes girl was fidgeting a bit

“Huh? What’s up, Riko?” confused Yoshiko

“Ah, it’s nothing important, really. I-I was just curious about why did you ran so fast yesterday, that’s all…” Riko slowly turned to be similar to her older sister

“Yesterday? Ah, that one, huh?  I was helping my aunt with groceries.” Riko took it that Umi was telling her the truth yesterday.  Continuing a bit of their conversation, they then arrived at the class

The class is starting. Riko focused her sight onto the front even though she knew and surely felt the stare she got from the one beside her. “What is Yoshiko-chan doing?” “Is there something on my face?” thoughts kept on popping inside her mind but Riko still tried on focusing herself to the lesson. Well, she was also a bit happy that Yoshiko stared at her, though she didn’t know why.

That was the first trigger…

It was a pure admiration. Riko thought that it must be what defined the feeling she had inside this time. It was different from the affection she had for her parents and sister. It was more ambitious, more greedy, more thirsty, like there’s nothing that could satisfy this certain lack except this one existence. And that existence is none other than the girl who stared at her right now.

The way the blue haired girl helped her yesterday was really cool. She felt like her feet was swept away, unable to stand on her own, as if wanting to be held by that same girl. The warmth she got when her hand was being held by this certain girl surely was something she would gladly enjoy all her life. But…, what is this feeling again?

-----

The school ended. Students ran out from the class, some went to their respective clubs, some went directly to the school gate. Yoshiko? She was neither. There’s something that she felt a little bit today. She didn’t felt it yesterday but she felt it today. Why? She didn’t know. It wasn’t the first time she touched the redhair. But still, the feeling she got when Riko held her hand was something she never felt before. There’s something wrong here. Confused with the emotions unknown to her, she decided to went back home since there’s no use thinking about it in school and asking about it to the redhair is out of question, of course.

The thumping she had yesterday must be a lie. There’s no way she would finally felt what people said as love. Yoshiko, a girl who’s just 16 years old surely was not old enough to feel such complicated feeling like the one described in the book she read just now. Just how could she fell in love with someone she didn’t really know? There’s no way. However, there’s also a love in the first sight?? Hmmmmm… but she didn’t felt it coming at all when they met at the first time. Late-bloom? Might be, but still…

Then an idea came to mind. What about she went out of her way to confirm this feeling of hers? Yoshiko proceed to read the book more thoroughly this time. There, she found an answer. This is it. This is the one that she had to do. Now, all she had to do is to call her cousin…

-----

Maki had finally finished writing down her assignment and her back sure was getting a little bit sore. The tongue was also felt lacking a little bit sweetness. Her thought then went to the refrigerator which contained the tomatoes she bought this afternoon. Humming, Maki went to the kitchen before she was stopped by the ringing of Umi’s phone.

“Umi, your phone is ringing.” Shouted Maki to the girl who took a bath right now

“Who is it?”

“It’s Yoshiko. She called you twice already. Should I answer it for you?”

“Thanks, please do.”

Maki then answered the phone and greeted the girl in Japan “Hello.”

“Hello…, Maki-san? Is Umi-nee there with you?”

“Yes, but she’s still in bath. I don’t think she would finish soon. So, what’s up? Is there anything you wanted to ask her for?”

“Ah, no. Actually, it would be better if I ask you, Maki-san…” Yoshiko sounded a little bit nervous

“Me? Sure. Go ahead.” Firm answer as always

“T-The thing is…, I was reading this one book…” Yoshiko held her breath

“Then…?” Maki waited for the continuation

“W-Well, at first I was confused about the feeling I got whenever I’m with Riko or whenever I’m thinking about her. Then, the book told me that I might be falling in love…” Yoshiko’s beet red

Maki was a little bit shocked but she didn’t let it known by the other side of the call “Continue.”

“S-S-So, it says that I can prove it by giving her something she really loved. It also says if the person happily accept it and I felt that strange feeling again, then that is love.” Yoshiko concluded her explanation

“Okay, so you wanted to ask me about things Riko love, is that right…?”

“Y-Yes…”

“Well, since I trust you being you’re Umi’s cousin I will answer your question.” Yoshiko felt relief at the confirmation she got from Maki “Hmmmmmmm… Well, for starters, Riko loves piano. Maybe not just piano. She also loves viola and classical music. For food, I think she loves sandwich the most. I think that’s all I know…?”

“T-T-That’s more than enough, Maki-san! Thanks for telling me, Maki-san!!” Yoshiko felt so happy

“W-Well, it’s nothing really…” Maki felt a little bit embarrassed since the younger girl thanked her full force “However, remember this, Yoshiko.”

“Yes, what is it, Maki-san?”

“I don’t oppose if you got together with Riko or if you didn’t even have that intention as long as you didn’t make her cry. Remember that, okay? If I got the news that she cried because of you…, well, you’d better avoid that, okay?”

”Yes, Maki-san.” All that Yoshiko could muttered before Maki hung up the phone since she saw that Umi might soon finished her bath. Surely, the girl then showed up from the bath and asked about the conversation Maki had with her cousin. Maki, however, didn’t let Umi know, thinking that it’s a payback for yesterday. Well, it’s also to make things interesting if Umi found out later.

-----

“Now, what should I get for Riko?”

“A keyboard? No way. That’s too expensive. Not that piano is any better in that factor, too.”

“A keychain of piano? Isn’t it too plain?”

“C’mon, Yoshiko. You’re better than this. You must find the right gift for her, something that she would really like or it’ll not work.”

“Without the right present you will never find out whether this feeling is love or not, Yoshiko!!!”

“Wait a moment. Isn’t it strange for me to suddenly give her a present?”

“She might think I’m some kind of weirdo, right?”

“What should I do?”

Yoshiko’s mind is in serious confusion. It was the first time she gave so much thought about someone more than her family. Never before she felt the urge to do things to this extent for her friend. At this point, Yoshiko thought that maybe she didn’t really need to prove it at all… Maybe she was already falling in love with Riko without knowing…

-----

Riko felt it again. The strange pain she got from the time to time. The ache that gradually become frequent. She got it first when she was beginning to get closer with her first adopting father and mother. Well, Riko do knew that she couldn’t make it sounded as if she didn’t know what she’s feeling right now. And if her hunch was right, she might also know the reason and the ‘person’ who made her felt this way. She might already knew since there was no one but that girl. That girl with purple irises. The test that Riko ran finally sowed some result. Now she knew the real reason behind everything that happened before…

It was something that Riko never even wished for all her entire life. She always put it in her prayer that she didn’t need this ‘condition’ of hers. She’ll be just fine without it. But seemed like her fate didn’t want her to be happy that easily even though she did her best at faking her affection for the Nishikino’s. Even though she did her best at starting over again. “Just what is needed to make things not as complicated as this…?” Riko wondered inside her heart…

-----

There was something that almost none of the people in the world knew about Umi. That side of her. That not-so-normal side of her. That. The ability that she realized existed back then. The ability that always help her through so many things back then. Even until now. The ability that’s also owned by her precious one. Now, after so many months went out without a hitch, she felt it again. She felt the ‘sensor’ traced something Umi sure wouldn’t like.

“Let’s hope the reason is not Riko-chan…”